Great American Outdoors Act funds new accessible toilets at ATV trailhead

This past fall, the Superior National Forest utilized Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) funding to enhance deferred maintenance, improve visitor experiences, and expand public access for all by installing new Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) toilet buildings at recreational sites across the Forest.

New toilets were installed at:

• Clara Lake Campground

• Cascade River Campground

• Jackpot ATV Trailhead

• Vermilion Falls Day Use site

• One Pine Boat Landing

• Sand Lake Rustic Campground

Enacted into law on August 4, 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) continues to provide new opportunities for the USDA Forest Service. The act deliver benefits to the public through major investments in infrastructure, recreation facilities, public lands access, and land and water conservation.

“Providing quality recreational facilities for visitors is a priority on the Forest. The GAOA funding has been an extra boost to help us accomplish larger projects like this one. We believe that these new facilities will improve the visitor’s experience in these locations,” said Tim Engrav, Acting Forest Recreation Program Manager.

These new toilets built of pre-cast concrete help the Forest Service meet ABA requirements, while providing better visitor convenience and safer accessibly.

Each toilets cost approximately $45,000, for a total price of the six toilets at $266,255.

The Forest Service used contractors from the Upper Peninsula of MI; Embarrass, Cook, and Hibbing to remove the existing toilets, excavate the new sites, and use cranes to move the structures into place.